Pixel Aspect Ratio Calculator

What Is Pixel Aspect Ratio?

Pixel aspect ratio (PAR) is the proportional relationship between a pixel's width and height. Most digital images use square pixels with PAR 1:1, but broadcast and legacy video formats often use rectangular pixels so content fits standard display aspect ratios.

PAR Formula

$$\text{PAR} = \frac{\text{pixel width}}{\text{pixel height}}$$

When you know the image resolution and desired display aspect ratio (DAR), you can solve for PAR:

$$\text{PAR} = \text{DAR} \times \frac{\text{image height}}{\text{image width}}$$

A widescreen display has DAR 16:9 (about 1.78). Square pixels give PAR 1:1. SDTV formats like 720×480 often use non-square pixels to display 4:3 content correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between PAR and DAR?

PAR describes individual pixel shape. DAR (display aspect ratio) describes the overall width-to-height ratio of the image on screen. DAR equals PAR multiplied by the image's width-to-height pixel ratio.

What does 4:5 pixel aspect ratio mean?

Each pixel is four units wide and five units tall. The pixel is taller than it is wide.

How do I know if my image is widescreen?

Divide image width by height. A result near 1.78 (16:9) indicates widescreen. Square-pixel 1920×1080 is widescreen; 640×480 is standard 4:3.

Do modern cameras use non-square pixels?

Most digital cameras and screens use square 1:1 pixels. Non-square PAR is mainly relevant for legacy video, broadcast, and format conversion workflows.

Why does PAR matter for video editing?

Incorrect PAR makes circles look like ovals and distorts on-screen text. Setting the right PAR ensures content displays with the intended proportions.

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Pixel Aspect Ratio Calculator

What Is Pixel Aspect Ratio?

PAR Formula

Frequently Asked Questions

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